The Army Ground Forces Band was organized in 1845. A year later it saw duty in the Mexican War, where it distinguished itself in combat by capturing an artillery battery and turning it against the enemy. The band's lineage includes service in the Civ...

FORT BRAGG, N.C. The U.S. Army Forces Command's Jazz Guardians are taking their talents on the road to Missouri for four performances, March 11-14.

The four performances will be open to the public and will include colleges, a museum and a popular tourist attraction.

The Guardian's will entertain audiences with a variety of big band material including favorites from the Count Basie and Glen Miller catalogues along with more recent material of Harry Connick Jr., Gordon Goodwin, and John Labarbera.

"With the recent, tragic weather related events in the Branson/Kansas City area, our opportunity to make a positive impact on America's public has never been more necessary," said Spc. Jake Stith, the ensemble's guitarist. "The region is rich with patriotism and support by a large military veteran population, so we're planning on entertaining the people of Missouri in the way that only military bands do."

The Jazz Guardian's Missouri tour includes the following stops:

Sunday, March 11: Kansas City, American Jazz Museum public performance and music clinic: 1 p.m.

Monday, March 12: Kirksville, Truman State University public performance and music clinic with students: 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 13: Branson, College of the Ozarks public performance and music clinic with students: 7 p.m.

Wednesday, March 14: Branson Landing performance: 4:30 p.m.

The Jazz Guardians is an 20-member group whose primary mission is to maintain and promote Jazz, a uniquely American art form. The group pays tribute to the big bands of yesteryear by performing the music made popular by such greats as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Glenn Miller and Woody Herman.

Demonstrating great versatility, the group also performs the latest and most innovative sounds of today's most popular composers. The Jazz Guardians has been featured at numerous jazz festivals around the United States, performing with such notable artists as Louis Bellson, Bab Calloway, Bill Watrous, Conrad Herwig and Jamey Abersold.

Given the ensemble's broad talents and diverse repertoire, the Jazz Guardians offers concerts that are sure to entertain any audience.

The Jazz Guardians is just one ensemble of The Army Ground Forces Band, which serves as an outreach asset for the Army's largest command, United States Army Forces Command.

Home stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., The Army Ground Forces Band has traveled throughout the United States, performing at local, regional and national events and holding master classes and clinics at high schools and colleges.

The 64 Soldiers assigned to The Army Ground Forces Band have passed highly selective auditions and are among the finest musicians in the Army Band Program. The majority of the band's member have studied music at some of the finest universities and conservatories.

For more on the band, see www.forscom.army.mil/band